Original Paper

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: Is There a Difference between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Patients?
C. Roth, A. Ferbert

Department of Neurology, Klinikum Kassel, Kassel, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Eur Neurol 2009;62:142-148 (DOI: 10.1159/000226430)

  Key Words

• Encephalopathy, reversible
• Leukencephalopathy
• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
• Eclampsia
• Preeclampsia

  Abstract

Background: Clinical and imaging abnormalities similar to those seen in posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) have been observed in patients with eclampsia. It remains unclear whether both conditions are in fact the same disease entity. Methods: We retrospectively identified 21 patients with PRES and separated them into 2 groups: patients who were symptomatic during pregnancy, and a group of non-pregnant patients. We recorded symptoms, premedical history and paraclinical investigations of both groups and compared them to each other. Results: We found 8 pregnant patients and 13 non-pregnant patients with PRES. There was no difference between both groups with regard to symptoms, cerebral imaging, or outcome, apart from a difference in age, the premedical history and a significantly higher occurrence of headache in the pregnant group. All of our pregnant women were primigravid. Follow-up was done over a mean period of 2,171 (range 59–9,396) days. Overall, there was a good clinical outcome. Conclusion: We suggest that PRES in non-pregnant patients and eclampsia presenting with MRI abnormalities similar to those seen in PRES represent the same disease entity, but are triggered by different pathologies.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Christian Roth, MD
Department of Neurology, Klinikum Kassel
Mönchebergstrasse 41–43
DE–34125 Kassel (Germany)
Tel. +49 56 1980 3090, Fax +49 56 1980 6979, E-Mail roth99@web.de

  Article Information

Received: March 31, 2009
Accepted: May 25, 2009
Published online: July 1, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 25